[..] the benefits of sharing your suffering with empathic people are incredibly powerful! It’s scary to share about our suffering, but I don’t want to miss out on such powerful benefits and opportunities for healing!

Have come a long way since the first day of the rest of my life back on Wed 01 Jul 2009. Thought I would capture a photo just now so that I can remember this day, which also just happens to be the 21st Anniversary since the first time that Jenny and I went out to dinner together and to see a Movie Look Who's Talking.

Geoff - "an early start for the first day of the rest of my life - 'where do you start?'" - Alexandria - 7am Wed 01 Jul 2009 (picasa)

Beautiful Day Lyrics

The heart is a bloom Shoots up through the stony ground There's no room No space to rent in this town

You're out of luck And the reason that you had to care The traffic is stuck And you're not moving anywhere

You thought you'd found a friend To take you out of this place Someone you could lend a hand In return for grace

It's a beautiful day Sky falls, you feel like It's a beautiful day Don't let it get away

You're on the road But you've got no destination You're in the mud In the maze of her imagination

You love this town Even if that doesn't ring true You've been all over And it's been all over you

It's a beautiful day Don't let it get away It's a beautiful day

Touch me Take me to that other place Teach me I know I'm not a hopeless case

See the world in green and blue See China right in front of you See the canyons broken by cloud See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out See the Bedouin fires at night See the oil fields at first light And see the bird with a leaf in her mouth After the flood all the colors came out

It was a beautiful day Don't let it get away Beautiful day

Touch me Take me to that other place Reach me I know I'm not a hopeless case

What you don't have you don't need it now What you don't know you can feel it somehow What you don't have you don't need it now Don't need it now Was a beautiful day

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Hard work provides the opportunity to make sure that when that inspiration comes, you’re ready for it. You can build a solid base while you’re waiting, putting you in the position to use your creativity to propel something that’s already good to a level of greatness.

Striving towards meaningful goals can be an important part of finding satisfaction in life. Remember it is the "striving" that is important, not the achievement. If we do not enjoy the daily commitment to bettering ourselves, it is unlikely that achieving the final objective is going to bring any lasting happiness.

Seems rather timely considering I am thinking a lot about why and what I have posted here over the last 21 months.

Note: Found the web site from where the above posts come from via a Google Search for the term make mistakes well, the title of a recent post. Really quite a coincidence and has given me a lot to think about.

We are ashamed to make mistakes - as well we should be, yes? It's our job to get things right, right? So when we make mistakes, our instinct is to shrink into a ball and wish them away. Correcting errors, though necessary is embarrassing.

But the truth about the truth is in itself counterintuitive: Corrections do not diminish credibility. Corrections enhance credibility. Standing up and admitting your errors makes you more believable; it gives your audience faith that you will right your future wrongs.

Bought this book in London and read it while traveling around Europe after the 2009 World Dragon Boat Championships in Prague. Enjoyed reading it and I got a lot out of it. I had had a break from the internet for over 8 years and was looking to see what was new. I understood and could relate to much of the book from my elj.com days.

When looking through the book today to find a section that talked about blogging and tweeting and why people do it (in a moment of self-reflection to try and workout why I post what I do here), I found this page earmarked with the above quote.

Had some interesting conversations and posts recently on the topic of mistakes. For me they often represent the fact that I am out there trying something and giving it a go. Feel a little embarrassed when I make mistakes and other people are involved, but I hope they know I will will right [my] future wrongs. Main thing is to learn from the mistakes.

The great thing about all my paddling experiences is that I have witnessed and been exposed to much of the insights, posted by other people, that I capture here on this blog, this post just being another instance. As an example, I can remember the exact moments for the Prague 2009 and Macau 2010 campaign's where I have witnessed the leadership to ignite the change needed to achieve our goals. There have been a few others that standout in my mind, including the Port Stephens 2008 OC6 Changes Race and the 2009 AusDBF National Dragon Boat Championships at Kawana/Qld. I hope to experience one of those moments for Tampa 2011. I will write about them all here one day. Funnily enough, I have already posted some thoughts on change and ignition here in Change [Inspiration] by Drew Ginn (11 Jun 2010) back on 16 Sep 2010.

I have been lead, inspired, motivated and trained by some Great Coaches and inspired by many of my fellow paddlers. The following photos representing a snippet of some of the great coaches, teams and people I have paddled with.

Geoff, JT and George - George congratulating his team after winning the National Title - my first Regatta - Masters Open Final 500m - 2005 AusDBF National DB Titles - Yarraluma / Canberra (Fri 8 Apr 2005)

Todd, Julia and Geoff - "Todd always keeps me calm and was my OC6 Coach 2008 and 2009 - Julia has been my DB Coach since 2005, she is so perceptive and knows exactly what to say when it counts the most" - King Street / Newtown (Wed 18 Nov 2009)

Gav and Geoff - we were pretty happy, I had steered the Men's B Crew who had a great race and Gav was Seat 1 in the A Crew which took out the Long Course Men's Title. Gav has also been my DB Coach since 2005. He is a warrior and a legend. - OC6 State Title - Port Stephens (27 Mar 2010)

Joanne, Serge and Geoff - Serge lead the first Auora's Team to the 2010 Asian Champs in Wujin. It was an amazing and formative experience for all us who embraced the changes and new approach. Will never forget the Team huddle after the last race (the 5km turns race) and he told us we were the first Aurora's - no one can take that from us - he was proud of us. - Wujin/China - Sun 2 May 2010

Daniel Coyle writes about change when he introduces the concept of ignition in The Talent Code. Simply put, Coyle’s concept of ignition refers to the exact moment when an individual is captivated by a new idea or experience. In turn, that spark of interest crystallizes a goal and motivates action toward that goal. [..]

The transformational change represented by ignition is the precursor to the "deep practice" that Coyle says is also essential for anyone who seeks to achieve excellence. For once a person is committed to a goal because he or she wholeheartedly believes in it, the work required to achieve the goal is no longer a chore but a source of fulfillment.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

In putting together yesterday's post, I drew on a photo that has Lynn and I sitting together on top of the Lounge in Tamworth. It was taken just before our brother Tim arrived into our lives - he was born in Tamworth in Dec 1963.

In putting together an earlier post about Tim I came across this photo of Lynn and I, at his house in Canberra, on the day after we said goodbye.

Only really made the connection that the two photos put Lynn and I together in a way that I guess Bookend's Tim's Life and our life with him in between.

Nice to have the photos and the memories ..

Lynn and Geoff at Tim's Place - "the day after we said goodbye to Tim" - Griffith / Canberra (Sat 12 Mar 2005)

A Life in between.

Lynn and Geoff - maybe 1963? (but definitely before Tim arrived in Dec 1963) - "Lynn has this photo: one of my earliest memories - sitting on top of the lounge having our photo taken." - Tamworth (picasa)

We learn best from making mistakes. To improve, find ways to make mistakes:

Slow down. Forcing yourself to go slower breaks habits as well, and is a perfect way to uncover adaptations that weren’t apparent at normal speed.

Speed up. Go much faster than normal. Sure, you’ll screw up, but in the process you’ll break up old habits, adapt to new conditions, and find improvements.

Break a complex task into component parts. Almost every task includes discreet steps. Pick one, deconstruct it, master it… then put the whole task back together. Then choose another component part.

Measure differently. Pick a different measurement than you normally use to analyze performance. Measure speed instead of accuracy, for example, or use video or audio. (A friend taped four initial meetings with prospective customers and identified several bad habits he was unaware of. Watching yourself isn’t particularly fun, but it’s darned objective.)

Stumbled across this today (via one of my google alerts - Daniel Coyle). Makes sense to me, though it is hard to watch yourself in video's.

A Couple of Random Memories: The original Boston version of the song was released in 1976, the year my family moved from Tamworth to Wagga Wagga. Would have been in 4th Form (or Year 10 as it is called now). Just a kid. Remember being very sad to leave Tamworth (we had moved to Tamworth from Goulburn when I was a few weeks short of the age of 2) as it was all I knew (have very few childhood memories before starting school).

Geoff and Lynn - maybe 1963 ? - "Lynn has this photo: one of my earliest memories - sitting on top the lounge having our photo taken." - Tamworth (picasa)

I have always said that while the move was difficult in the initial stages, it was one of best things to happen to me in many ways. It was a quite a formative experience to be separated from everything you had ever known and to have to start all over again. I think it helped me to accept change (particularly when you have no choice - you just have to accept it and make the most of it) and made me more resilent to the impact change can have on you, particular in the early stages of the change (hope that makes sense).

Have been to Boston quite a few times - 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1994. Planning to spend a few days there following Tampa 2011 in August 2011. Been a while, so looking forward to seeing it with another 17 years of life experiences behind me. Had always hoped to run the Boston Marathon which is held on Patriot's Day (3rd Monday of April). I tried to qualify by running the Melbourne Marathon in 1993, but was about 8 mins short of the pre-qualifying time of 3hr 15min (it was a bit easier in those days). Was lucky enough to be in Boston to watch the 1994 Boston Marathon.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Heard this song while stuck in traffic on the way to training tonight. Had not heard it for years. Made me laugh. Last week I tried to describe a feeling and failed. Would not even know where to start to describe more than a feeling. Let's see what Boston can make of it ..

I woke up this morning and the sun was goneTurned on some music to start my dayI lost myself in a familiar songI closed my eyes and I slipped away

It's more than a feelingMore than a feelingWhen I hear that old song they used to playMore than a feelingAnd I begin dreamingMore than a feeling'Til I see Mary Ann walk awayI see my Mary Ann walkin' away

So many people have come and goneTheir faces fade as the years go byYet I still recall as I wander onAs clear as the sun in the summer sky

It's more than a feelingMore than a feelingWhen I hear that old song they used to playMore than a feelingAnd I begin dreamingMore than a feeling'Til I see Mary Ann walk awayI see my Maria Ann walkin' away

When I'm tired and thinking coldI hide in my music, forget the dayAnd dream of a girl I used to knowI closed my eyes and she slipped awayShe slipped away

It's more than a feelingMore than a feelingWhen I hear that old song they used to playMore than a feelingAnd I begin dreamingMore than a feeling'Til I see Mary Ann walk away

I woke up this morning and the sun was goneTurned on some music to start my dayI lost myself in a familiar song

One of my Favourite RPM Tracks. This one always made me work the hills a little harder than many of the other Track 3 Songs from other RPM Releases. The puddle of sweat below my bike in the studio was well and truly on the way by the end of this track.

RPM 38, Track 3, True Believer, is a hugely motivating song with big contrast and big energy. Riders have to believe in themselves and this song provides inspiration to do so.

True Believer Lyrics

I am here and now because of youYou are the reason I do what I doLike a phantom when you call me I'll be thereAny time that I'm around you shouldn't fearBecause of you,That's what I doCome on, Come onBecause of youI'm a true Believer

I'm a true believerI'm with you through the nightYou're my inspiration in lifeI'm a true believerSo don't give up the fightYou're my inspiration in life

(I'm a true believerGimmy Gimmy Gimmy)

Give me, Give me everything you gotYou and I can take it to the topLike the superheroes we can save the dayLet the music take us somewhere far awayBecause of you (cause of yoooou)That's what I do (what I do)Come on, Come onBecause of you(I'm a true believer)

I'm a true believerI'm with you through the nightYou're my inspiration in lifeI'm a true believerSo don't give up the fightYou're my inspiration in life

I'm a true believerI'm with you through the nightYou're my inspiration in life

I'm a true believerI'm with you through the nightYou're my inspiration in lifeI'm a true believerSo don't give up the fightYou're my inspiration in life

I'm a true believerI'm with you through the nightYou're my inspiration in lifeI'm a true believerSo don't give up the fightYou're my inspiration in life

Friday, March 18, 2011

Really enjoyed this film (more so than Rabbit Hole). Happy to make my own mind up on this one. Don't really care what the critics or the majority of the viewers say. Will touch people in many different ways and will probably be a function of their own life experiences.

As Leah’s mother eloquently describes it, grief is like a brick in one’s pocket – we always feel it, but over time it feels less heavy. After some time, we can actually forget that it’s there sometimes, but memories come back, and we feel the brick again.

Had kind of worked this out for myself (i.e. in order to move forward, you need to adapt, otherwise you can get stuck) and was actually going to write about it to mark the 2nd anniversary of this little Blog, which passed quietly while I was in Auckland for the Takapuna Cup. In the end I did not get around to posting (happens a lot - only a fraction of what I would like to post makes it here - have started so many posts that never quite get finished).

Anyway, what I had thought I would write about for that unwritten 2nd Anniversay Post was how my life (and is some ways my identity) had changed since that first post on the Wed 25 Feb 2009 and how I thought the blog might give some indication to what I am passionate about, who I was , the transition to who I have become and where I am heading, at least in the short-term.

I have enjoyed the Blogging. It has given me a creative outlet and has kept my mind stimulated. It is fun to look over what I have written. Like a photograph, I can remember the feelings and the reasons why I might have written the post.

When I think back [..] togetherness comes back to me as a significant driver of performance. With out it, or with less than a great level of togetherness it all becomes hard, heavy and simply sluggish or slow.

Had a couple of sessions recently where I know exactly what he means. In a way I think it was a blessing as you learn more from when things are not going so well, than when everything is perfect. The purpose of this post is to remember the insights that can and should be drawn from the times when things are not going so well.

A pretty random post, but it has put a smile on my face and was fun to put together.

Heard this song on the radio on the way to training yesterday evening. It's a song you will often hear on the radio on a stormy afternoon or evening.

The storm clouds were looming as we got closer to Bank Street and it had started to lightly rain. The wind came up and the air became colder, and in combination with the songs haunting lyrics, driving beat of the bass and drums, and the memories it evoked, it made me tingle and I was covered in goose bumps.

The music and lyrics seem to capture the feelings and mental images that I carry with me, to be and feel Australian.

I guess that's all reasonably vague, but feelings for me are difficult to describe - much in the same way Dennis Denuto demonstrates so passionately, yet unconvincingly, in the classic Australian Movie The Castle:

It's the vibe of the thing, your Honour.

The vibe or the gist are terms I use a lot to cover for my inability to express my feelings or what I am thinking :-) Dennis is my hero. Here he is at his definitive best:

Some random memories. The song goes back to 1982, which would have been my last year of full-time uni. I did see The Flowers (Iva Davies predecessor to Icehouse) at the University Union in the 2nd Term of 1980 and then a few weeks later back in Wagga Wagga for the University Holidays. Was excited to have some friends, from my school days in Wagga Wagga, to be the local supporting act. For some reason I asked Jenny whether we could have the song played at our Wedding Reception. She liked it and it was played during the night and as a filler as we said our farewells at the end of the evening. It was put on repeat as I we took a lot longer than we had planned.

Great Southern Land Lyrics

Standing at the limit of an endless oceanStranded like a runaway, lost at seaCity on a rainy day, down in the harborWatching as the gray clouds shadow the bay

Looking everywhere 'cause I had to find youThis is not the way that I remember it hereAnyone will tell you, it's a prisoner islandHidden in the summer for a million years

Great southern landBurned you black

So you look into the land and it will tell you a storyStory 'bout a journey ended long agoIf you listen to the motion of the wind in the mountainsMaybe you can hear them talking like I do"They're gonna betray you, they're gonna forget youAre you gonna let them take you over that way"

Great southern land, great southern landYou walk alone like a primitive manAnd they make it work with sticks and bonesSee their hungry eyes, it's a hungry home

I hear the sound of the stranger's voicesI see their hungry eyes, their hungry eyesGreat southern land, great southern landThey burned you black, black against the ground

Standing at the limit of an endless oceanStranded like a runaway, lost at seaCity on a rainy day, down in the harborWatching as the gray clouds shadow the bay

Looking everywhere 'cause I had to find youThis is not the way that I remember it hereAnyone will tell you, it's a prisoner islandHidden in the summer for a million years

Great southern land, in the sleeping sunYou walk alone with the ghost of timeThey then burned you black, black against the groundAnd they make it work with rocks and sand

I hear the sound of the stranger's voicesI see their hungry eyes, their hungry eyesGreat southern land, great southern landYou walk alone, like a primitive man

You walk alone with the ghost of timeAnd they burned you blackYeah, they burned you blackGreat southern landGreat southern landGreat southern landGreat southern land

You might be able to guess why I picked this particular youtube clip of Great Southern Land. Two weeks to Nationals. Canberra here we come .. really looking forward to the racing with my team mates and catching up with all our friends from right across Australia.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

"You have an illusion that the next one will be easier, but it's just a mind trick that we play on ourselves to find the motivation to keep going.

But it never is easy. Feelings or emotions emerge, things that you can't plan, suddenly a film begins to take a life and path of its own. You have to surrender and give yourself up to the journey and see where you are arriving.

You have brains in your head.You have feet in your shoes.You can steer yourselfany direction you choose.You're on your own.And you know what you know.And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.

Was in the previous post but I thought I would make it a separate post. Just seems really appropriate - who would have thought changing a Facebook Profile Photo would have been so hard to do. I am on my own now and I know what I know which will help me decide where to go.

You have brains in your head.You have feet in your shoes.You can steer yourselfany direction you choose.You're on your own.And you know what you know.And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.

The Dare to Dream phrase made me immediately think of these moments from the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Heard this song so many times while we were out Homebush during the Olympics. Brings back some great memories. Here are the lyrics (and a high quality recording here).

Dare to Dream Lyrics

I am my own believerIn my heart the reasonI will follow the light from withinI'm not afraid of weaknessI'm gonna taste the sweetnessOf the power not to give inOh I will see it through I believe this is my moment of truth

Dare to dreamDare to flyDare to be the ever chosen one to touch the skyDare to reachDare to riseFind the strength to set my spirit freeDare to dream

I will go the distanceEmbrace resistanceI will lay my soul on the lineWhen the wait is overAnd the hunger has spokenIf I give my all, I will shineOh I will see it through I believe, this is my moment of truth

Dare to dreamDare to flyDare to be the ever chosen one to touch the skyDare to reachDare to riseFind the strength to set my spirit freeDare to dream, Oh

And the heart will shine like the sunA million voices together as oneI believe, I believe, I believe, I believe

Dare to dreamDare to flyDare to be the ever chosen one to touch the skyDare to reachDare to riseFind the strength to set my spirit free

Dare to dreamDare to flyDare to be the ever chosen one to touch the skyDare to reachDare to riseFind the strength to set my spirit free(Find the strength to set my spirit free)Find the strength to do what I believe(I believe)Dare To dreamDare To dream